February 6, 2025

Celebrating Black History Month: A Conversation with Ugonna Chigbo
At St.Amant, we are committed to fostering inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and amplifying the voices of our community members. In honour of Black History Month, we sat down with Ugonna Chigbo, a Nigerian-Canadian and member of the St.Amant People of African Heritage Committee. As a Talent Acquisition Specialist with St.Amant Volunteer Services,
Ugonna shares his journey, cultural insights, and the importance of Black leadership and representation. See below for a conversation between Ugonna and Marcel Fisette, Manager of Communications at St.Amant.

Marcel Fisette: Hi Ugonna! Thanks for talking to us today. I’d like to ask you a few questions starting with your story and how it relates to this year’s Black History Month.
Ugonna Chigbo: Yeah, thanks for having me.
MF: Great! Let’s start with your personal and professional journey. Can you share a bit about yourself and your role at St.Amant?
UC: Yes! I am currently the Talent Acquisition Specialist with the Volunteer Services team. I started this role in late July 2024. I’ve involved with St.Amant prior to this, in other positions. I’ve also been a volunteer for 11 years, so this transition has been really rewarding.
MF: That’s wonderful. What inspired you to join the People of African Heritage Committee?
UC: I was inspired mostly because this committee is connected to my personal background. I come from Nigeria—first and foremost, I’m Nigerian. Joining this subcommittee allows me to express my opinions and be surrounded by like-minded people.
MF: Excellent. How has your cultural background shaped your work and leadership?
UC: My cultural background has shaped my work ethic significantly. Nigerians are known to be very hard-working people, and my family instilled that same value in me. They also taught me to be loyal, optimistic, and positive in my professional environment. So I get that, you know, mostly from my cultural background, and from family as well.
MF: That’s wonderful. Let’s move on to community involvement and impact. Can you share a proud moment from your work with the committee?
UC: Yes! A proud moment for me has been engaging with volunteers regularly and guiding them in different activities to ensure they find the right areas to contribute to. Specifically, working with the committee to help organize Black History Month events this February has been a highlight.
MF: Fantastic. What challenges do Black professionals face, and how does the committee help?
UC: One major challenge is representation on different platforms, particularly in leadership and other areas at work. I think the committee serves as an advocate for Black professionals, ensuring their voices are heard and they have a platform. Since I’m new to the committee, I’m still learning how it functions, but I look forward to being more involved.
MF: Thank you for sharing that. Let’s talk about Black leadership and legacy. What does Black leadership mean to you?
UC: Black leadership means having Black individuals in positions of power without being denied opportunities for advancement. It’s also about actively seeking out and encouraging Black professionals for leadership roles when they become available.
MF: Are there any Black leaders who have inspired you?
UC: Yes! The first person who comes to mind is my dad. He’s the president of our Igbo community here and an advocate for all things Black and African. On a global scale, Martin Luther King Jr. has always been inspirational because of his work in the civil rights movement. Another person I admire is Itah Sadu, a Canadian novelist and honorary bookstore owner in Toronto. She’s known for empowering women, particularly Black women.
MF: Let’s move on to Black History Month and beyond. Why is Black History Month important to you?
UC: Black History Month is important because it provides a platform to amplify Black voices, ideas, and opinions to be heard. It also allows me to showcase my cultural awareness, wear traditional outfits, and educate others about my heritage.
MF: How can organizations better support Black employees year-round?
UC: Organizations can support Black employees by hosting appreciation events, workshops, and leadership opportunities. It’s also important to actively ask fellow Black employees how can we make things better and then actually acting upon those requests.
MF: Those are great suggestions. If there was one key message you’d like to share about Black history and inclusion, what would it be?
UC: I would highlight the importance of supporting Black businesses. Many Black businesses are still growing and need infrastructure, funding, and personnel support. Providing those resources can help them thrive.
MF: In closing, what advice do you have for young Black professionals?
UC: My main advice is to keep going and never give up on your goals, no matter how challenging they seem. No matter how lofty they may seem, there’s always a way to achieve them.
MF: That’s fantastic! Ugonna, thank you so much for your time today and for sharing your thoughts in honor of Black History Month and your role at St.Amant. I truly appreciate it.
UC: Thank you, Marcel! I appreciate the opportunity.